From the recording The Light Still Shines On The Main (WAV file)
I’ve long been fascinated by the desert; when I used to tour the US I would detour to New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Arizona whenever I could. Serendipitous then, that many years ago Brittany’s father relocated to Tucson, Arizona, married an amazing woman and then died of a cancer that Brittany and possibly my son carry the gene for. We still visit Britt’s stepfamily as often as we can, and retrace her father’s favourite hiking paths and more. I’m a big believer that album closers should be strong and memorable. You want the listener to want to put the album on again as soon as possible, and finishing a record with a great closing tune can help ensure that happens. This is one of my personal favourites on the album to sing and play, and I love the eerie, cinematic vibe we created.
Lyrics
Arizona: I dream of you constantly
You’re a song that I picture but cannot recall
Far from the simmering ocean
Out in the desert they’ll find me
Digging for treasures and burying memories
In Arizona there are snowbirds and scenery
Deep, dark canyons and rock-climbing walls
Mine shafts abandoned or broken
Trails of Apache & Hopi
Beyond the mesas and the silence of centuries
But wide open space
Hides a shadowy trace
Beneath the ruins of time and place…
Arizona: New stories old mysteries
But you’re a cruel angelito for leading me on
You’d sell me the Garden of Eden
And promise a future that’s blinding
When you know I’ll believe you
Even if you lie to me
Even if you lie to me
Even if you lie to me